Owner of White River Brewing Company dies

John "Buz" Hosfield died March 26, according to Wade Bridges, with Adams Funeral Home in Ozark. He was 75 years old.

Hosfield founded White River Brewing Company in 2012 at 505 W. Commercial St. White River joined Mother's Brewing Company and Springfield Brewing Company in selling craft beer directly to consumers.

The brewery went from producing 14 barrels when it first opened to 80-120 on a monthly basis. In October 2014, Hosfield expanded the brewery to create a tasting room and event center. The brewery distributes beer to businesses between Springfield, Joplin and Branson.

"You are all way more than just customers or guests, you've become my friends and family," Hartje stated.

Other local breweries such as Mother's and Lost Signal posted messages in support of White River and Hosfield this past weekend.

Adams Funeral Home is handling Hosfield's cremation, Bridges said. There are no funeral arrangements scheduled at this time.

Building history timeline

• 1924 — Built by A.C. Abbott as coal storage facility

• 1936 — Became the Springfield Traction and Materials yard where it stores infrastructure materials

• 1937 — Purchased by City Utilities for the same purpose

• 1946 — Partitioned into three facilities in the same building; an auto repair shop where the patio is currently located; a general storage facility where the event center is located; and the Keener-Keener Peanut Products company where the brew house is located.

• 1967 — Became the Welhener Tent and Awning company

• 2003-2007 — Vacant

• 2007 — John "Buz" Hosfield purchased the building with the intention of starting a brewery